Gerhard Zucker and others attempting to develop postal rockets in the 1930s.

Location:
Germany Date:1935Duration:2 min 23 secSound:NO SOUND

Slate refers to efforts to overcome problems with compressed powder rockets. A large crowd is gathered to watch a demonstration of a Zucker mail rocket. Gerhard Zucker walks ahead and left of Several uniformed Brown Shirts, AKA Nazi Stormtrooper (Sturmabteilung) as they carry a large rocket down some stairs at a beach. Uniformed Hitler youth (Hitlerjugend) are also seen in the crowd of spectators. A cinematographer sets up his camera on structure near the water. Next, the rocket is seen set upon its inclined launching stand as Zucker makes ready the four rockets on each side of the large mail carrier. Closeup of Zucker doing this as another person deposits mail through a door atop the rocket body. Scene shifts to the Wadden Sea off Cuxhaven,on April 9, 1933, where Zucker follows Nazi Stormtroopers carrying the mail rocket across wet sands. Spectators stand shoulder-to-shoulder atop a hill in the background.Zucker standing alone next to the rocket. He and an assistant ignite the 8 side rockets and the mail rocket takes off. But, instead of heading straight, it noses up and loops over backwards, falling to the sand. Stormtroopers lift up the damaged device. Later, Zucker is seen designing a launch with concentric guide rings. He made several attempts in 1934 and 1935, to convince British Royal Mail officials of the viability of rocket mail. He is seen in the last attempt on the Isle of Wight, in January, 1935, standing by his rocket, surrounded by English spectators. His launch stand with concentric rings is clearly seen. He places mail in the rocket body and drops it down through the rings on the launch stand, ignites it and it appears to take off smoothly.(It actually failed.) Views of Belgian Karl Roberti and his postal rocket. An American rocket carrying a line out to a boat needing rescue offshore.